Atkins Diet America Is Increasingly Being Labeled

Atkins Diet

America is increasingly being labeled as an 'obese nation' with more than 31% of adults and 17% of children currently falling in the seriously overweight category. [CBS News]. Overweight condition is by itself a risk factor for diabetes, arthritis, heart diseases, and many other complications. Over the last two decades there has been increasing awareness about diet and weight management. Among the many 'low carb' diet programs 'Atkins diet' formula is a popular choice. Formulated by Dr. Atkins in the 1970's this new 'low carb' program has stirred a diet revolution in the nation. Let us discuss in detail the diet plan, its impact on the metabolic system and its acceptability in the long run.

Atkins Philosophy

The underlying principle of Atkins program is that by means of a diet having low carbohydrates it is possible to induce lyposis/ketosis as an alternative to glucose metabolism. Atkins diet formula is based on the presumption that sugar from carbohydrates is the main factor for overweight condition. The implications of this change in fuel metabolism is that fat cells are burnt out regularly leading to loss of weight. Atkins diet programs differs from other conventional programs in that it recommends the consumption of diet rich in fats and proteins while severely reducing the intake of carbohydrates. The Atkins diet plan has four distinct phases starting with the initial induction phase.

The induction phase extends for 2 weeks and during this period carbohydrate content of the diet is strictly restricted to a maximum of 20 grams per day. During the second phase, termed the 'ongoing weight loss' phase carbohydrate intake is increased moderately at a rate of 5 grams per week until such time that the weight loss observed so far is gradually stopped. After reaching this stage there follows a daily decrement of carbohydrates by 5 gms to effect a sustained weight loss. Then follows the 'pre maintenance phase' wherein the dieters are asked to increase carbohydrate levels by 10 grams per week until such stage is reached where there is a minimal sustained weight loss. The final maintenance Phase is a life long period of selective dieting which maintains the weight with regular intake of supplements. [Atkins Nutritionals]

Atkins Diet / U.S. RDA

The standard calorific content of carbohydrates, proteins and fats are 4, 4 and 9 calories per gram respectively. The RDA nutrition specifications are based on an average consumption of 2000 calories per day but typically Atkins dieters consume only around 1500 calories per day. Their intake and the calorific value derived from the different nutrients also vary significantly from the RDA recommendations. For example the daily average of carbohydrate intake as recommended by the RDA is 300 g, which is equivalent to 1200 calories per day providing around 60% of the total energy requirements. However, in the Atkins diet program the carbohydrate intake is reduced to 20 g (80 calories) during the induction phase and kept below 90 g even during the maintenance phase which means that the total calories derived from carbohydrates during the maintenance phase is only 360 calories at the maximum. The protein content on the other hand is considerably increased (around 35%) contributing around 700 calories per day which is more than thrice the value recommended by the U.S. RDA which is 10% or 50 g a day. [FDA] Since fruits are strictly exempted (or undesirable) from diet, fiber content and calcium levels in Atkins diet is very low.

It is well-known that fruits and vegetables are the natural sources of vitamins. The U.S. RDA for vitamins A, C, D and E. are 5000 IU, 60 mg, 400 IU and 30 IU respectively. Since Atkins dieters have to abstain from fruits, (to avoid carbohydrates) supplementary sources are a necessity. Sticking to Atkins diet without the supplementation will lead to severe vitamin and mineral deficiency. Except for a few vitamins like Vitamin D and B12, which are derived from animal sources, Atkins dieters do not derive sufficient quantities of other vitamins from their fat and protein rich diet prescription. The U.S. RDA dosage for Vitamin B complexes such as Thiamin, Riboflavin and Niacin are 1.5 mg, 1.7 mg and 20 mg respectively. [Healthnotes INC] Atkins dieters derive these and other minerals from the prescribed multivitamin supplement 'Basic #3 Formula'. It is to be noted that the Atkins diet program is not self-sufficient and hence the dependence of supplementary vitamin dosages is a life long necessity.

Atkins Program strongly recommends regular aerobic exercises (5 times a week) as a general rule. Weight bearing exercises are also indicated to strengthen the bones and improve the muscle tone. Since chances of cholesterol buildup are a bit higher in the Atkins diet, regular aerobic and weight bearing exercises are part of the diet regimen. The recommended plan is to start with aerobic exercises and include weight training later on once the endurance level is increased. Most of the recipe information pertaining to the Atkins nutritional approach program is freely delivered on the internet. There are a variety of Atkins brand products, lunch and dinner products and different supplementary products to choose from. So the individual may either follow the recipe and prepare the food at home or buy Atkins brand products. Hence, cost of following the program may depend on the choice of the dieter.

Risk Factors

There are definitely health risks associated with the Atkins diet program. The fundamental change in food composition and consequent metabolic process carries a risk of electrolyte imbalance in our body. As Gail Frank, PhD, nutrition professor at California State University states, "Fruits and berries are much more indicative of early man's eating pattern than eating only protein, and we haven't changed all that much physiologically."[Charlotte E. Grayson]. High protein diet is known to cause the condition of acidic urine, which depletes calcium from the body. The result of calcium loss is a bone degeneration condition known as Osteoporosis. Developing kidney stones is another major risk for Atkins dieters. [Kathy Goodwin] It is also well-known that animal proteins are toxic in nature compared to vegetable and fruit sources and hence Atkins diet is not a healthy approach [Dan Rutherford] Further, the assumption that increased carbohydrates is the cause for overweight condition may itself be ill founded, as for instance, Japan as a nation where carbohydrates forms the major diet, has a very low obesity rate.